Necrotizing Fasciitis and Medical Malpractice

Necrotizing fasciitis is most commonly called flesh-eating bacteria. It is a very fast spreading infection that destroys muscles, skin and underlying tissue of the body. There are many types of bacteria that can lead to this condition, but the most severe and deadly type is Streptococcus Pyogenes. For a person who contracts this infection, a correct diagnosis and speed of treatment is of the utmost importance. Failure to do so can quite often result in death. If the infection is stopped and death is prevented, there can still remain devastating results, such as scarring and amputations of limbs.

When a medical facility and their physicians fail to properly diagnose and treat this infection, or when medical treatment actually causes the infection to manifest, justice must prevail. The responsible parties must be held accountable for the damages suffered. If you or a loved one has been the unfortunate victim of necrotizing fasciitis and you suspect that the condition occurred because it was incorrectly treated, diagnosed or even caused by a medical professional, facility or procedure, then you should contact a Los Angeles medical malpractice attorney. Attorney Steven J. Weinberg has over 35 years of experience specializing in medical malpractice and has recovered millions of dollars for victims over his years in practice.

Necrotizing fasciitis can take place when a scrape or cut (often a minor one) allows dangerous bacteria to enter the body. Simply, the bacteria will then spread quickly, and releases very harmful and powerful toxins. These toxins then proceed to kill tissue in the area, and the blood flow to the infected area will be reduced or even stop, killing tissue at a rapid rate. This sets up a wildfire-like spread of the bacteria throughout the body.

Some other ways the bacteria could be contracted is by burns, childbirth, chicken pox, poison oak or ivy, blunt trauma, sinus infections, splinters, surgery, and through invasive medical procedures. These procedures include those that require a break or incision in the skin, or when a device needs to be inserted into an internal cavity.

Incorrect Treatment or Misdiagnosis of Necrotizing Fasciitis

Incorrect treatment for this infection can occur when it is not diagnosed accurately and immediately. This will undoubtedly delay surgery, which is crucial initially when the bacterial infection actually is necrotizing fasciitis. The only way to determine if the condition is necrotizing fasciitis is through testing. There is another type of infection, cellulitis, which has symptoms very similar to necrotizing fasciitis. If testing is not done immediately upon observing the symptoms, it is quite possible the needed, aggressive treatment will not take place, or will not occur fast enough to halt the spread of the bacteria. If there is even a remote chance that the symptoms are those of necrotizing fasciitis, and proper testing is not conducted, then those medical personnel involved may be guilty of medical malpractice.

The condition could also be contracted while the patient is undergoing surgery or another invasive procedure. Again, if the symptoms are present, immediate testing needs to occur so that the correct medical treatment is taken swiftly if necrotizing fasciitis is diagnosed.

Medical Malpractice Attorney in Los Angeles

Need an attorney for necrotizing fasciitis in Los Angeles? If you or someone you know is the victim of this deadly bacteria and was not correctly treated, or if it was contracted through a medical procedure of any type, you need to contact an attorney. Steven J. Weinberg, a Los Angeles medical malpractice attorney, is there to help you and bring justice. He is an expert in ferreting out the facts of these complex cases. His extensive investigation will uncover failures, when they exist, of medical professionals to properly perform examinations of the patient, to get a full medical history of the patient, to recognize quickly the symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis, to adequately perform the necessary testing to definitively diagnose the infection, to perform surgery in a timely manner, and many other possible medical errors. He is dedicated to bringing those individuals responsible to justice when negligence or a failure to diagnose or treat is the issue. Contact attorney Steven J. Weinberg when you need a highly qualified and experienced Los Angeles medical malpractice lawyer to help you pursue justice and compensation.

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Steven J. Weinberg, Trial Lawyer is located in Palm Desert, CA and serves clients in and around Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino County and beyond.

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